Lived Experience of Spouses of Women with Vaginismus Regarding Marital Relationships

Document Type : Qualitative

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Family Counseling

2 PhD student in counseling, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.

3 PhD. Student in Counselling, University of Kurdistan, Kurdistan, Iran.

10.22034/fcp.2025.143066.2276

Abstract

Family, as one of the main pillars of society, plays an important role in the sexual and mental health of individuals, and disruption in family relationships can lead to broader social problems. Sexual satisfaction and sexual health of couples are key factors in marital satisfaction and quality of life. Vaginismus, as a sexual disorder, can have profound negative effects on marital relationships. However, little research has been done on the experiences of the spouses of these women. Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the lived experience of the husbands of women with vaginismus in marital relationships. Method: This qualitative study was conducted using a descriptive phenomenological approach. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 men whose wives had vaginismus. Data analysis was performed using the 7-step Colaizzi method. Findings: The findings were categorized into 6 main themes: challenges of marital relationship, coping with the problem, negative feelings and experiences related to marital relationship, childbearing problems and their consequences, adaptation and acceptance, and social and cultural impacts. Conclusion: The lived experience of men in marital relationships under conditions of vaginismus is complex and multifaceted and requires special psychological and counseling support for couples. This research shows that vaginismus has serious negative effects not only on women but also on their spouses, highlighting the need for more attention to this issue.

Highlights

References

Abdnezhad, R., & Simbar, M. (2021). A review of Vaginismus Treatments. Iranian Journal of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Infertility, 24(7), 83-97. https://ijogi.mums.ac.ir/article_18988.html

Alizadeh, A., Farnam, F., Raisi, F., & Parsaeian, M. (2019). Prevalence of and risk factors for genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder: a population-based study of Iranian women. The journal of sexual medicine, 16(7), 1068-1077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.04.019

American Psychiatric Association, D., & American Psychiatric Association, D. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5 (Vol. 5): American psychiatric association Washington, DC.

Bingöl, T. Y., Gürhan, N., Erdoğan, G., & Genış, B. (2024). Self-esteem, defense mechanisms, sexual satisfaction and stress coping mechanisms in individuals treated for vaginismus: A controlled study. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 28(11), 105-114. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-ajrh_v28_n11_a11

Casey, P. M., MacLaughlin, K. L., & Faubion, S. S. (2019). Impact of contraception on female sexual function. Journal of women's health, 26(3), 207-213. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2015.5703

Damari, B., & Akrami, F. (2021). Sexual health challenges in Iran and the strategies for its improvement. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, 27(2), 216-233. http://ijpcp.iums.ac.ir/article-1-3284-en.html

Eserdağ, S., & Anğın, A. D. (2021). Importance of gynecological assessment for the treatment of vaginismus as a predictive value. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 47(7), 2537-2543. https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.14600

Eskandari, M., & Parandin, S. (2022). Predicting Attitudes Toward Marital Infidelity Based on Components of Sexual Satisfaction and Intimacy in Couples. The Women and Families Cultural-Educational, 17(58), 183-199. https://cwfs.ihu.ac.ir/article_207168.html

Fereydouni, S., & Manesh, M. A. (2024). Investigating the relationship between sexual satisfaction, quality of life, and marital conflicts in methamphetamine-dependent men. Sadra Medical Sciences Journal, 12(2), 212. https://smsj.sums.ac.ir/article_50019.html

Ghoreishi, A., Vakili, M. M., & Amirmohseni, M. (2020). Sexual satisfaction and some related variables in married women. Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal, 77(10), 640-645. http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-۱-۱۰۱۴۰-fa.html

Golpayegani, T. S., & Bahrami, L. (2022). The study of perception of Married Women Facing Sexual Failure and Its Consequences. Journal of Social Work Research, 9(32), 69-103. https://doi:10.22054/rjsw.2023.70385.627

Hazrati, Z., Kachooei, M., & Katul, M. B. (2021). The Mediating Role Of Sexual Self-Efficacy In The Relationship Between Personality Characteristics And Marital Satisfaction In Married Women In Tehran. Journal Of Urmia Nursing And Midwifery Faculty, 19((7 (144)), 539-550. https://unmf.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-4483-fa.html

Heydarian, M., Gholamzadehjefreh, M., & Masoud, S (2021) Perception of the lived experience of women with dyspareunia and vaginismus: qualitative study. Journal of Counseling Research, 20(77), 161-199. http://irancounseling.ir/journal/article-1-1413-fa.html

Jokar, F., Fani, M., Isfahani, N. T., & Sabahi, R. (2025). Effectiveness of Biofeedback with Dilator Therapy for Sexual Function in Women with Primary Vaginismus: Randomized Controlled Trial Study. International Urogynecology Journal, 36(3), 557-565.‏ https://doi: 10.1007/s00192-024-06011-y

Kabiri, A., & Khakpour, R. (2020). Actional Space within the Family and Marital life Satisfaction (Case Study: Married Women in Urmia). Quarterly of Social Studies and Research in Iran, 9(2), 423-447. https://jisr.ut.ac.ir/article_76925.html

Laskowska, A., & Gronowski, P. (2022). Vaginismus: an overview. The journal of sexual medicine, 19(5), S228-S229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.03.520

Mohsenikabir, M., KIAMANESH, A., Poursharifi, H., & Masheikh, M. (2021). The mediating role of sexual satisfaction in relation between expressive and instrumental behavior and marital satisfaction in divorce applicants. Journal Of Thought & Behavior In Clinical Psychology, 16(60), 67-78. Retrieved from https://sid.ir/paper/1091722/en

Moore, G. F., Audrey, S., Barker, M., Bond, L., Bonell, C., Hardeman, W., . . . Wight, D. (2015). Process evaluation of complex interventions: Medical Research Council guidance. bmj, 350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcin.2015.03.004

Nusratabadi, M., & Grouh, A. A. (2020). Effectiveness of Schema Therapy on Reducing Anxiety and Depression and Improving Sexual Function in Women with Vaginismus. Journal of Clinical Psychology & Personality, 18(2), 11-19. https://www.sid.ir/paper/1044100/fa

Radpor, B., Behboodi, M., & Fard, F. D. (2021). A comparison of the effectiveness of marriage enrichment (PAIRS) and the prevention and relationship enhancement program (PREP) in improving sexual satisfaction. Journal of Adolescent and Youth Psychological Studies (JAYPS), 2(2), 212-225. https://www.sid.ir/paper/1000325/fa

Ramanathan, V., Gautham, K., & Ramasubramaniam, U. M. (2022). Common pitfalls in the management of vaginismus in couples with subfertility in India. Journal of Psychosexual Health, 4(2), 133-137. https://doi.org/10.1177/26318318221089600

Sabetghadam, S., KERAMAT, A., Mallari, M., & Chamani, S. R. (2019). A Systematic Review of Vaginismus Prevalence Reports. JOURNAL OF ARDABIL UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES (JAUMS), 19(3), 263-271. https://jarums.arums.ac.ir/article-1-1721-fa.html

Soltanizadeh, m., & bajelani, p. (2020). Predicting the Attitude towards Marital Infidelity Based on Sexual Dysfunction, Intimacy and Sexual Satisfaction in Married Men and Women in Isfahan in 2017. Zanko Journal of Medical Sciences, 21(68), 32-46. Retrieved from http://zanko.muk.ac.ir/article-1-491-fa.html http://zanko.muk.ac.ir/article-1-491-fa.html

Yavuzkir, Ş., Aslan, M., Yurt, N., & Baykara, S. (2024). Association between non-penetrative sexual activities and depression in women with vaginismus: a cross-sectional study. Journal of International Medical Research, 52(4), 03000605241244762.‏ https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605241244762

Yeganeh, T., Farahani, M., & Moghadasin, M. (2020). Identifying psychological factors associated with vaginismus in married women in 2018: a qualitative study. Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, 18(10), 997-1016.  http://journal.rums.ac.ir/article-۱-۴۵۹۲-fa.html

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

References
Abdnezhad, R., & Simbar, M. (2021). A review of Vaginismus Treatments. Iranian Journal of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Infertility, 24(7), 83-97. https://ijogi.mums.ac.ir/article_18988.html
Alizadeh, A., Farnam, F., Raisi, F., & Parsaeian, M. (2019). Prevalence of and risk factors for genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder: a population-based study of Iranian women. The journal of sexual medicine, 16(7), 1068-1077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.04.019
American Psychiatric Association, D., & American Psychiatric Association, D. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5 (Vol. 5): American psychiatric association Washington, DC.
Bingöl, T. Y., Gürhan, N., Erdoğan, G., & Genış, B. (2024). Self-esteem, defense mechanisms, sexual satisfaction and stress coping mechanisms in individuals treated for vaginismus: A controlled study. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 28(11), 105-114. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-ajrh_v28_n11_a11
Casey, P. M., MacLaughlin, K. L., & Faubion, S. S. (2019). Impact of contraception on female sexual function. Journal of women's health, 26(3), 207-213. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2015.5703
Damari, B., & Akrami, F. (2021). Sexual health challenges in Iran and the strategies for its improvement. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, 27(2), 216-233. http://ijpcp.iums.ac.ir/article-1-3284-en.html
Eserdağ, S., & Anğın, A. D. (2021). Importance of gynecological assessment for the treatment of vaginismus as a predictive value. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 47(7), 2537-2543. https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.14600
Eskandari, M., & Parandin, S. (2022). Predicting Attitudes Toward Marital Infidelity Based on Components of Sexual Satisfaction and Intimacy in Couples. The Women and Families Cultural-Educational, 17(58), 183-199. https://cwfs.ihu.ac.ir/article_207168.html
Fereydouni, S., & Manesh, M. A. (2024). Investigating the relationship between sexual satisfaction, quality of life, and marital conflicts in methamphetamine-dependent men. Sadra Medical Sciences Journal, 12(2), 212. https://smsj.sums.ac.ir/article_50019.html
Ghoreishi, A., Vakili, M. M., & Amirmohseni, M. (2020). Sexual satisfaction and some related variables in married women. Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal, 77(10), 640-645. http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-۱-۱۰۱۴۰-fa.html
Golpayegani, T. S., & Bahrami, L. (2022). The study of perception of Married Women Facing Sexual Failure and Its Consequences. Journal of Social Work Research, 9(32), 69-103. https://doi:10.22054/rjsw.2023.70385.627
Hazrati, Z., Kachooei, M., & Katul, M. B. (2021). The Mediating Role Of Sexual Self-Efficacy In The Relationship Between Personality Characteristics And Marital Satisfaction In Married Women In Tehran. Journal Of Urmia Nursing And Midwifery Faculty, 19((7 (144)), 539-550. https://unmf.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-4483-fa.html
Heydarian, M., Gholamzadehjefreh, M., & Masoud, S (2021) Perception of the lived experience of women with dyspareunia and vaginismus: qualitative study. Journal of Counseling Research, 20(77), 161-199. http://irancounseling.ir/journal/article-1-1413-fa.html
Jokar, F., Fani, M., Isfahani, N. T., & Sabahi, R. (2025). Effectiveness of Biofeedback with Dilator Therapy for Sexual Function in Women with Primary Vaginismus: Randomized Controlled Trial Study. International Urogynecology Journal, 36(3), 557-565.‏ https://doi: 10.1007/s00192-024-06011-y
Kabiri, A., & Khakpour, R. (2020). Actional Space within the Family and Marital life Satisfaction (Case Study: Married Women in Urmia). Quarterly of Social Studies and Research in Iran, 9(2), 423-447. https://jisr.ut.ac.ir/article_76925.html
Laskowska, A., & Gronowski, P. (2022). Vaginismus: an overview. The journal of sexual medicine, 19(5), S228-S229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.03.520
Mohsenikabir, M., KIAMANESH, A., Poursharifi, H., & Masheikh, M. (2021). The mediating role of sexual satisfaction in relation between expressive and instrumental behavior and marital satisfaction in divorce applicants. Journal Of Thought & Behavior In Clinical Psychology, 16(60), 67-78. Retrieved from https://sid.ir/paper/1091722/en
Moore, G. F., Audrey, S., Barker, M., Bond, L., Bonell, C., Hardeman, W., . . . Wight, D. (2015). Process evaluation of complex interventions: Medical Research Council guidance. bmj, 350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcin.2015.03.004
Nusratabadi, M., & Grouh, A. A. (2020). Effectiveness of Schema Therapy on Reducing Anxiety and Depression and Improving Sexual Function in Women with Vaginismus. Journal of Clinical Psychology & Personality, 18(2), 11-19. https://www.sid.ir/paper/1044100/fa
Radpor, B., Behboodi, M., & Fard, F. D. (2021). A comparison of the effectiveness of marriage enrichment (PAIRS) and the prevention and relationship enhancement program (PREP) in improving sexual satisfaction. Journal of Adolescent and Youth Psychological Studies (JAYPS), 2(2), 212-225. https://www.sid.ir/paper/1000325/fa
Ramanathan, V., Gautham, K., & Ramasubramaniam, U. M. (2022). Common pitfalls in the management of vaginismus in couples with subfertility in India. Journal of Psychosexual Health, 4(2), 133-137. https://doi.org/10.1177/26318318221089600
Sabetghadam, S., KERAMAT, A., Mallari, M., & Chamani, S. R. (2019). A Systematic Review of Vaginismus Prevalence Reports. JOURNAL OF ARDABIL UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES (JAUMS), 19(3), 263-271. https://jarums.arums.ac.ir/article-1-1721-fa.html
Soltanizadeh, m., & bajelani, p. (2020). Predicting the Attitude towards Marital Infidelity Based on Sexual Dysfunction, Intimacy and Sexual Satisfaction in Married Men and Women in Isfahan in 2017. Zanko Journal of Medical Sciences, 21(68), 32-46. Retrieved from http://zanko.muk.ac.ir/article-1-491-fa.html http://zanko.muk.ac.ir/article-1-491-fa.html
Yavuzkir, Ş., Aslan, M., Yurt, N., & Baykara, S. (2024). Association between non-penetrative sexual activities and depression in women with vaginismus: a cross-sectional study. Journal of International Medical Research, 52(4), 03000605241244762.‏ https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605241244762
Yeganeh, T., Farahani, M., & Moghadasin, M. (2020). Identifying psychological factors associated with vaginismus in married women in 2018: a qualitative study. Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, 18(10), 997-1016.  http://journal.rums.ac.ir/article-۱-۴۵۹۲-fa.html

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History

  • Receive Date: 22 July 2024
  • Revise Date: 22 September 2024
  • Accept Date: 21 November 2024

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